Television gaming apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and methods are herein disclosed for use in conjunction with standard monochrome and color television receivers, for the generation, display and manipulation of symbols upon the screen of the television receivers for the purpose of playing games, training simulation and for engaging in other activities by one or more participants. The invention comprises in one embodiment a control unit, connecting means and in some applications a television screen overlay mask utilized in conjunction with a standard television receiver. The control unit includes the control means, switches and electronic circuitry for the generation, manipulation and control of video signals representing symbols which are to be displayed on the television screen. The symbols are generated by voltage controlled delay of pulses and coincidence gating. The connecting means couples the video signals to the receiver antenna terminals thereby using existing electronic circuits within the receiver to process and display the signals. An overlay mask which may be removably attached to the television screen may determine the nature of the game to be played. Control units may be provided for each of the participants. Alternatively, games may be carried out in conjunction with background and other pictorial information originated in the television receiver by commercial TV, closedcircuit TV or a CATV station.

United States Patent Baer et al.

l l TELEVlSlON GAMING APPARATUS AND METHOD Primary ExaminerDavid L.Trafton Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Louis Etlinger; Richard I,

[75] Inventors: Ralph H. Baer. Manchester; William s I T. Rusch; WilliamL. Harrison, both 6 of Hollis, all of NH.

[73] Assignee: Sanders Associates, Inc., Nashua. [57] ABSTRACT N.H.Apparatus and methods are herein disclosed for use in [22] Flled'conjunction with standard monochrome and color tel- [2l] Appl. No:464,023 evision receivers, for the generation. display and manipulationof symbols upon the screen of the television Related Patent Documentsreceivers for the purpose of playing games. training Reissue of:simulation and for engaging in other activities by one [64] Patent No.:3,659,285 or more participants The invention comprises in one Issued:Apr. 25, 1972 embodiment a control unit. connecting means and in Appl.No.: 851,865 some applications a television screen overlay mask utiFiled: Aug. 21, 1969 lized in conjunction with a standard televisionreceiver. The control unit includes the control means. US. 340/324 AD;178/68; 250/549; switches and electronic circuitry for the generation,273/85 R; 315/377 manipulation and control of video signals representing[51] Int. Cl? .1 G08B 5/36 ymbo s which are to be di played on the teleision [58] Field of Search 340/324 AD; 315/377 screen. The symbols aregenerated by voltage con trolled delay of pulses and coincidence gating.The [56] References Cited connecting means couples the video signals tothe re UNITED STATES PATENTS ceiver antenna terminals thereby usingexisting elec- 2.45s,992 l2/l948 Goldsmith et al. t. 315/22 f "f f"i: hen km gr hccs anglxdis- 2595,6461 5/1952 Doba et .340/324 AD PAY e mgr")"/i w L 284766! 8/1958 Amwuse r V V p g V V 315/22 X movably attached tothe television screen may deter- 3011625 H1962 Evans eta] y 340/334 ADmine the nature of the game to be played. Control 3,046,676 7/1962Hermann et all. 35/25 units may be provided for each of theparticipants. Al- 3.l5l.248 9/1964 Glaser et al 250/227 ternatively.games may be carried out in conjunction 1 3 H964 g el 340/334 AD withbackground and other pictorial information origi- 3'l891889 6/1965 s?-340/324 AD nated in the television receiver by commercial TV. 3,249 7965/1966 MOffIIL... .1 315/222 ciosed circuit TV or a CATV Station.3,334,236 8/1967 Bacon 11 250/217 CR 3,497,760 2/1970 Kiesllng 1.FIB/6.8 X 17 Claims, 37 a g gures FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS ll80,47O 6/l959 France l-- 6315 #s -l 33 4 SEC HOR. SYNC PULSES l l I PDOTI HI DOT DOTl VIDEO OR- T. COINCIDENCE VDEO z MOD DELAYED 1 T 1 GATESIGNAL AND H RF PULSES l A. osc.

I DOT 2 v1DEo DOT 2 HQR DOT 2 DELAYED I COlNClDENCE w P --GATE PULSES l'l6.66MS *l m VERT /1 s 2330 WV VERT. SYNC PULSES T l 4 :l:l i 32 VERT vDELAYED l 1 To TV Wv P I l VI ANTENNA PULSES i TERMlNALS l v 88E? g fi-1 DELAYED V2 V vz PULSES Reissued Oct.28,1975 Sheet 1 of 17 Re. 28,598

INVENTORS g RALPH H. BAER WELLJAM T. RUSCH WILLIAM LHARRISON Rei ssued0a. 28, 1975 63. 5 SEC.

Sheet 2 of 17 I666 MS.

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HOR. 44 4? SYNC PULSES t CONTROL E 48 SIGNAL H 555 PULSES CONTROL SIGNALFIG. 8A

CONTROL SIGNAL INVENTORS RALPH H. BAER WILLIAM T RUSCH WILLIAM L.HARRISON Reissued Oct.28, 1975 Sheet 5 of 17 Re. 28,598

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CONTROL VOLTAGE INVENTORS RALPH H. BAER WILLIAM T RUSCH WILLIAMLHARRISON Reissued 0m. 28, 1975 Sheet 6 of 17 Re. 28,598

mm mwEEDm nwavmns RALPH H. BAER WILLIAM T. RUSCH WILLIAM L. HARRISON BY3 D/ Reissued Oct. 28, 1975 Sheet 9 of 17 Re. 28,598

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I L L VER SYNC GEN Reissued Oct.28, 1975 Sheet 10 of 17 Re. 28,598

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INVENTORS RALPH H. BAER WILLIAM T. RUSCH WILLIAM L HARRISON BY J ii,

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TO MULTIVIBRATOR (-)2IO E H2 o- 1 2 8 FIGIQC TO MULTIVIBRATOR ()ZIIINVENTORS RALPH H. BAER WILLIAM T. RUSCH WILLIAM L. HARRISON ReissuedOct. 28, 1975 Sheet 15 of 17 Re. 28,598

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REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This invention relates to the subjectmatter of Application Ser. No. 126,966 filed Mar.22, I97] a continuationof Application Ser. No. 697,798 filed Jan. 15, i968, now abandoned; andapplication Ser. No. 828,154 filed May 27, I969.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to apparatus andmethods by means of which standard television receivers can be utilizedas active rather than passive instruments or, alternatively, to specialtelevision receivers constructed for active operation by participants.This is accomplished in certain embodiments by having participantsmanipulate controls of a control unit connected to the televisionreceiver to cause a symbol, such as a square, or a plurality of symbols,to be displayed upon the television screen by means of which theparticipants can play a variety of games, participate in simulatedtraining programs, as well as carry out other activities. By way ofexample, modified versions of the well-known game of ping-pong may beplayed by two participants by physically or electronically placing anappropriate mask representing the net upon the screen of the televisionreceiver. Three displayed dots represent two paddles and a ball whereinthe ball is moved in a particular direction when hit" by a paddle.

Heretofore, color and monochrome television receivers have been usedgenerally by the home and other viewers as passive devices; i.e., thetelevision receiver is used only as a display means for programmingoriginating at a studio. The viewer is limited to selecting thepresentations available for viewing and is not a participant to theextent that he can control or influence the nature of, or add to thepresentation displayed on the receiver screen.

A standard receiver employed with auxiliary equipment to provide anactive form of home entertainment is described in patent applicationsfor Television Gaming and Training Apparatus" Ser. No. l26,966 filedMar. 22, 1971, a continuation of Ser. No. 697,798, filed Jan. 15, 1968and Television Gaming Apparatus and Method" Ser. No. 2 ,1 filed May 27,1969, both assigned to the assignee of this application. Since mosthomes are equipped with television receivers, the only expense requiredto provide added family enjoyment as well as training means is theexpense of a control unit of one type or another.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide apparatus and methods for displaying video signalson the screen of a television receiver, where some or all of the videosignals are both generated and controlled by apparatus external to thetelevision receiver.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatusand method wherein a standard color or monochrome television receiver isutilized as an active instrument for playing various types of games involving one or more participants.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a devicewhereby an individual may pit his alertness, skill, manual dexterity andvisual acuity against automatically controlled video displays.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide anapparatus which will generate dots such as squares which may becontrolled by one or more participants for playing various types ofgames.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a cathode raytube apparatus for displaying symbols to be manipulated by participants.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus which will allow one or more participants to actively use astandard television set while receiving background and other pertinentpictorial information from a cooperative commercial TV, closed circuitTV, or CATV station, thus combining or alternating studio andhome-generated information on the TV screen.

It is still another object of the present invention to allow the use ofa standard TV set for gaming or other activities without the need forany kind of internal electrical connection to the TV set for theintroduction of video and/or chroma signals, connections being requiredto be made only to the externally accessible an tenna terminals.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a televisiongaming apparatus is provided for generating video signals in accordancewith the stan dardized television format, which signals may becontrolled by an individual operator by means of a joystick or othermanually operative means. The television gaming apparatus comprisescontrol apparatus having included therein the necessary electroniccircuits to produce video signals which are compatible with standardtelevision receivers.

The control apparatus has video signal control means mounted thereon foreasy access and connecting means are provided for coupling the videosignals generated within the control box to the television receiver.

By way of illustration, the television gaming apparatus can be used forplaying a game of ping-pong by providing on a TV screen two dots whichrepresent paddles. Means are provided for enabling the players tocontrol the vertical movement of the paddle dots. Means are alsoprovided for generating on the screen of the television receiver a thirddot which represents the ping-pong ball. This dot can be made to movefrom an off-screen left position to an off-screen right position andvice versa unless "hit by a paddle dot whereupon the ball dot willchange direction. The players have further controls for changing thevertical position of the ball dot.

Suitable overlays or presentations from a cooperative TV station may beused in conjunction with said games to enhance the asthetic appealthereof. Alternatively, presentations such as a ping-pong net may begenerated by controls in the hands of the participants.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above-mentioned and other featuresand objects of this invention will become more apparent by reference tothe following description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. I is a pictorial view illustrating the principle components of anembodiment of the invention includ ing a television receiver and acontrol unit;

FIG. IA is a pictorial view illustrating an alternate embodiment for thecontrol unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a sketch illustrating a typical TV screen and overlay mask asemployed in an embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a sketch illustrating the manner in which dots are formed on aTV screen;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the general the ory of dotgeneration;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the preferred mode of generating dots on aTV screen;

FIG. 6 is a schematic of a sync generator employed in the embodiment ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 7A is a schematic of a dot generator employed in the embodiment ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 7B are waveforms illustrating operation of the circuit of FIG. 7A;

FIGS. 8A-8C are schematics of controls used to generate control signalsfor the dot generator of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a schematic of a primary flip-flop arrangement used in many ofthe gaming applications;

FIG. 10 is a schematic of a secondary flip-flop arrangement used incertain ones of the gaming applications;

FIG. IIA is a diagram of apparatus for a simulated ping pong type game;

FIG. IIB is a sketch of a television screen illustrating the manner ofplay of the ping-pong game of FIG. 11A;

FIG. 12A is a diagram of apparatus for a simulated handball type game;

FIG. IZB is a sketch of a television screen illustrating the manner ofplay of the handball game of FIG. 12A;

FIG. 13A is a diagram of apparatus for a simulated volleyball type game;

FIG. 13B is a sketch ofa television screen illustrating the manner ofplay of the volleyball game of FIG. 13A;

FIG. [4A is a diagram of electronic apparatus for a simulated golfputting game;

FIG. 14B is a sketch of the input control for the apparatus of FIG. 14A;

FIG. 14C is a sketch ofa television screen illustrating the manner ofplay of the golf putting game of FIG. 14A;

FIG. ISA is a diagram of apparatus for a pumping game;

FIG. 15B is a sketch ofa television screen illustrating the manner ofplay of the pumping" game of FIG. ISA;

FIG. 16 is a diagram of apparatus for a target shooting game;

FIG. 17 is a schematic of a chroma signal generator;

FIG. 18A is a schematic of another embodiment of a dot generator;

FIG. 18B is a sketch of illustrative video signals of the dot generatorof FIG. I8A;

FIG. 19A is a block diagram of apparatus for controlling a "hit" dot;

FIG. 19B is a sketch illustrating the manner in which the apparatus ofFIG. 19A controls a "hit" dot;

FIG. 19C is a schematic of the horizontal gated differentiator of FIG.19A;

FIG. 19D is a schematic of the bilateral switch, integrator and wallbounce of FIGv 19A;

FIG. 20A is a diagram of electronic apparatus for a simulated race game;

FIG. 20B is a schematic ofa dot generator having position controlledclot size;

FIG. 20C is a sketch of a television screen illustrating the manner ofplay of the race game of FIG. 20A; and

FIG. 21 is a diagram of electronic apparatus for a left-right shootinggame.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The principal components of oneembodiment of a television gaming system configured according to theinvention are illustrated in FIG. 1 which is a pictorial view showing atelevision receiver 10, a control unit I4 and means 12 for connectingcontrol unit I4 to receiver 10. The television receiver 10 employed canbe any of the standard commercially available models that are generallyused for home entertainment. Either a monochrome or color television setmay be used with the present invention since the basic principles of theinvention apply to both types. The connection means I2 is in thisembodiment a cable, for example, shielded or unshielded twin-lead, andis attached to the antenna terminals of receiver 10 in conventionalfashion.

Control unit 14 generates video signals shown as dots 20,, 20 and 21.The dots 20, and 20 are positioned on the receiver screen 18 by knobs16,, 17,, and 16 17,, respectively.

Knob 16, controls the vertical position of dot 20,, while knob 17,controls the horizontal position thereof. Thus, it can be seen that thedot 20, many be positioned at any point on the screen by the propermanipulation of knobs l6, and 17,. Dot 20, is positioned in like mannerby knob 16,, 17 In this embodiment dot 21 can be automaticallypositioned on screen 18 without manual control. This will be describedmore fully hereinafter. A pair of serve/reset switches 11, 13 are shownon the control unit 14 and are used to reset the picture on thetelevision screen or serve" a simulated ball. For example, a game may beplayed in which one dot is to be positioned over the other and when thisis accomplished one dot will disappear and/or the background will changecolor. When games of this nature are played, a reset means is requiredbefore play can be resumed. Serve reset switches II, 13 can perform thisfunction as well as other functions to be described hereafter.

A knob 15 controls background color for color TV receiver applicationswherein a chroma generator is employed in the manner set forth in saidapplication Ser. No. l26,966.

Alternatively, control unit I4 may be broken up into a master controlunit containing the electronic circuits and individual control unitscontaining control knobs 16,, 17, and 16 I7 and switches 11 and I3,whereby each participant may operate from a position away from the otherand so not to interfere with other players. This is illustrated in FIG.IA wherein control unit 14 is broken up into a master control unit 27and individual control units 22 and 23. The master control unit 27contains the electronic circuitry found in control unit 14 and controlknob 15. Knobs 16,, 17, and 16,, and 17, which position the dots 20, and20 and switches 11 and 13 are situated on individual control units 22and 23, respectively. More than two control units may be provided whenadditional participants are to take part.

1. In combination with a standard television receiver, apparatus forgenerating signals representing a first and second ''''hitting''''symbol and a ''''hit'''' symbol to be displayed on the screen of saidtelevision receiver, comprising: means for generating horizontal andvertical sync signals; means for generating a vertical train of squarepulses; means for generating a horizontal train of square pulses; afirst ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; a second ''''hitting'''' symbolgenerator; a ''''hit'''' symbol generator; means for applying saidvertical and horizontal trains of square pulses to said symbolgenerators; means for generating first and second control signals forsaid first ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; means for coupling saidfirst and second control signals to said first ''''hitting'''' symbolgenerator; means for generating third and fourth control signals forsaid second ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; means for coupling saidthird and fourth control signals to said second ''''hitting'''' symbolgenerator; means for generating fifth and sixth control signals for said''''hit'''' symbol generator; means for coupling said fifth and sixthcontrol signal to said ''''hit'''' symbol generator; means for couplingsaid first, second, third and fourth control signals to said means forgenerating fifth and sixth control signals; and means for coupling theoutputs of said symbol generators and said sync signals to thetelevision receiver.
 2. In combination with a standard televisionreceiver, apparatus for generating symbols upon the screen of thereceiver to be manipulated by at least one participant, comprising:means for generating a ''''hitting'''' symbol; means for generating amovable ''''hit'''' symbol; means for generating a fixed ''''hit''''symbol; means for denoting coincidence between said movable ''''hit''''symbol and said ''''hit'''' fixed symbol; means for causing said movable''''hit'''' symbol to move away from said fixed ''''hit'''' symbol whencoincident therewith; and means for displaying said symbols. 3.Apparatus for playing volleyball type games by displaying andmanipulating symbols on the screen of a cathode ray tube, comprising:means for generating a first ''''hitting'''' dot; means for generating asecond ''''hitting'''' dot; means for generating a ''''hit'''' dot;means for generating a ''''net'''' symbol; means for changing thevertical position of said first ''''hitting'''' dot; means for changingthe vertical position of said second ''''hitting'''' dot; means forchanging the vertical position of said ''''hit'''' dot; means forcausing said ''''hit'''' dot to move from an off-screen left position ofan off-screen right position and vice versa; (means for changing saidoff-screen right and off-screen left positions;) means for denotingcoincidence between either of said ''''hitting'''' dots and said''''hit'''' dot; means for causing said ''''hit'''' dot to changehorizontal direction upon coincidence between said ''''hit'''' dot andeither of said ''''hitting'''' dot; means for denoting coincidencebetween said ''''hit'''' dot and said ''''net'''' symbol; and means fordisplaying said dots upon the screen of said cathode ray tube. 4.Apparatus for playing volleyball type games as defined in claim 3,further including means for causing said ''''hit'''' dot to disappearupon coincidence between said ''''hit'''' dot and said ''''net''''symbol.
 5. Apparatus for generating signals representing a first andsecond ''''hitting'''' symbol and a ''''hit'''' symbol to be displayedon the screen of a television receiver, comprising: means for generatinghorizontal and vertical sync signals; meAns for generating a verticaltrain of square pulses; means for generating a horizontal train ofsquare pulses; a first ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; a second''''hitting'''' symbol generator; a ''''hit'''' symbol generator; meansfor applying said vertical and horizontal trains of square pulses tosaid symbol generators; means for generating first and second controlsignals for said first ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; means forcoupling said first and second control signals to said first''''hitting'''' symbol generator; means for generating third and fourthcontrol signals for said second ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; meansfor coupling said third and fourth control signals to said second''''hitting'''' symbol generator; means for generating fifth and sixthcontrol signals for said ''''hit'''' symbol generator; means forcoupling said fifth and sixth control signals to said ''''hit'''' symbolgenerator; means for coupling said first, second, third and fourthcontrol signals to said means for generating fifth and sixth controlsignals; and means for coupling the outputs of said symbol generatorsand said sync signals to a television receiver.
 6. Apparatus forgenerating symbols on the screen of a television receiver to bemanipulated by at least one participant, comprising: means forgenerating a ''''hitting'''' symbol; means for generating a movable''''hit'''' symbol; means for generating a fixed ''''hit'''' symbol;means for denoting coincidence between said movable ''''hit'''' symboland said fixed ''''hit'''' symbol; means for causing said movable''''hit'''' symbol to move away from said fixed ''''hit'''' symbol whencoincident therewith; and means for coupling said (generated) means forgenerating symbols to the video circuits of a television receiver. 7.Apparatus for playing handball type games by displaying and manipulatingsymbols on the screen of a cathode ray tube, comprising: means forgenerating a first ''''hitting'''' dot; means for generating a''''second'''' hitting dot; means for generating a ''''hit'''' dot;means for generating a wall symbol; means for changing the verticalposition of said first ''''hitting'''' dot; means for changing thevertical position of said second ''''hitting'''' dot; means for causingsaid hit dot to move off-screen away from said wall dot when coincidenceis not made between either of said ''''hitting'''' dots and said''''hit'''' dot; means for changing said off-screen position; means fordenoting coincidence between said first ''''hitting'''' dot and said''''hit'''' dot; means for denoting coincidence between said second''''hitting'''' dot and said ''''hit'''' dot; means for causing said''''hit'''' dot to change horizontal direction upon coincidence betweensaid ''''hit'''' dot and either of said ''''hitting'''' dots; means fordenoting coincidence between said ''''hit'''' dot and said wall symbol;means for causing said ''''hit'''' dot to change horizontal directionupon coincidence between said ''''hit'''' dot and said wall symbol; andmeans for displaying said dots upon the screen of said cathode ray tube.8. Apparatus for playing a target shooting game on the screen of acathode ray tube, comprising: means for generating a target on thescreen of said cathode ray tube; means responsive to said targetdisplayed on said cathode ray tube for ''''shooting'''' at said target;means for causing said target to move in a predetermined direction;means for causing said target to reverse direction upon hitting of saidtarget by said means responsive; means for causing said target to gooff-screen when not hit by said means responsive during a traverseacross the screen.
 9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein saidmeans responsive includes a photosensitive element and means for biasingsaid photosensitive element.
 10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9,wherein said biasing means includes a lamp.
 11. Apparatus for playing atarget shooting game on the screen of a cathode ray tube, comprising:means for generating a target on the screen of said cathode ray tube;means responsive to said target displayed on said cathode ray tube for''''shooting'''' at said target from a distance, including a biasedphotosensitive element; and means for causing said target to disappearwhen a hit is made.
 12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein saidphotosensitive element is biased by a lamp.
 13. Apparatus for playinggames by displaying and manipulating symbols on the screen of a cathoderay tube comprising: means for generating vertical and horizontalsynchronization signals; means responsive to said synchronizationsignals for deflecting the beam of said cathode ray tube to generate araster on said screen; means coupled to said synchronization signalgenerating means and said cathode ray tube for generating a first symbolon said screen which is movable; means coupled to said synchronizationsignal generating means and said cathode ray tube for generating asecond symbol on said screen at a predetermined fixed position dependingon the game to be played; means coupled to said first symbol generatingmeans and said second symbol generating means for determining a firstcoincidence between said first symbol and said second symbol; and meanscoupled to first coincidence determining means and said first symbolgenerating means for altering the motion of said first symbol inresponse to said coincidence.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, furtherincluding: means coupled to said synchronization signal generating meansand said cathode ray tube for generating a third symbol on said screenat a position which is directly controlled by a player; means coupled tosaid third symbol generating means and said first symbol generatingmeans for determining a second coincidence between said third symbol andsaid first symbol; and means coupled to said second coincidencedetermining means and said first symbol generating means for imparting adistinct motion to said first symbol in response to said secondcoincidence.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13, further including: meanscoupled to said synchronization signal generating means and said cathoderay tube for generating a fourth symbol on said screen at a positionwhich is directly controlled by a player; means coupled to said fourthsymbol generating means and said first symbol generating means fordetermining a third coincidence between said fourth symbol and saidfirst symbol; and means coupled to said third coincidence determiningmeans and said first symbol generating means for imparting a distinctmotion to said first symbol in response to said third coincidence. 16.The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising means for causing saidfirst symbol to travel across said screen from one side of said rasterto another side of said raster in the absence of an occurrence ofcoincidence between said first symbol and said third and fourth symbolafter coincidence of said first symbol with said fourth or third symbol.17. Apparatus for playing games by displaying and manipulating symbolson the screen of a cathode ray tube comprising: means for generatingvertical and horizontal synchronization signals; means responsive tosaid synchronization signals for deflecting the beam of said cathode raytube to generate a raster on said screen; means coupled to saidsynchronization signal generating means and said cathode ray tube forgenerating a first symbol on said screen at a position which is directlycontrolled by a player; means couplEd to said synchronization signalgenerating means and said cathode ray tube for generating a secondsymbol on said screen which is movable; means coupled to said firstsymbol generating means and said second symbol generating means fordetermining a first coincidence between said first symbol and saidsecond symbol; means coupled to said first coincidence determining meansand said second symbol generating means for imparting a distinct motionto said second symbol in response to said first coincidence; meanscoupled to said synchronization signal generating means and said cathoderay tube for generating a third symbol on said screen at a predeterminedfixed position depending on the game to be played; means coupled to saidsecond symbol generating means and said third symbol generating meansfor determining a second coincidence between said second symbol and saidthird symbol; and means coupled to said second coincidence determiningmeans and said second symbol generating means for causing said secondsymbol to disappear from said screen in response to said secondcoincidence.